U.S. patent number 4,905,080 [Application Number 07/214,716] was granted by the patent office on 1990-02-27 for apparatus for collecting television channel data and market research data.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Ikegami Tsushinki Co., Ltd., Video Research Ltd.. Invention is credited to Yoshikazu Itoh, Shunji Wake, Fumio Watanabe.
United States Patent |
4,905,080 |
Watanabe , et al. |
February 27, 1990 |
Apparatus for collecting television channel data and market
research data
Abstract
A data collecting apparatus is used in a survey system in which
research data such as television audience ratings and market
research data is collected by a data collecting device provided in
each of a plurality of panelists' homes, the collected research
data is sent to a data center through telephone links, and, at the
data center, the data is processed with the aid of a large scale
computer to calculate desired research data. The data collecting
apparatus includes a channel detector for detecting a television
channel being viewed, a market research data entry device, a
personal data entry device, and a data processing device for
storing and processing the entered data. The detected channel data
and the entered personal data are transferred to the data
processing device via domestic power supply lines. The market
research data is efficiently entered with the aid of a bar-code
reader and a keyboard in a sequence-non-ordered manner. The
personal data is entered with an entry device using infrared light.
The personal data entry device may have picture-like illustration
images of respective panelists so that they need not remember
personal identification numbers.
Inventors: |
Watanabe; Fumio (Tokyo,
JP), Itoh; Yoshikazu (Tokyo, JP), Wake;
Shunji (Kawasaki, JP) |
Assignee: |
Video Research Ltd. (Tokyo,
JP)
Ikegami Tsushinki Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, JP)
|
Family
ID: |
27471567 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/214,716 |
Filed: |
June 1, 1988 |
PCT
Filed: |
July 31, 1987 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/JP87/00578 |
371
Date: |
June 01, 1988 |
102(e)
Date: |
June 01, 1988 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO88/01117 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
February 11, 1988 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Aug 1, 1986 [JP] |
|
|
61-180135 |
Aug 1, 1986 [JP] |
|
|
61-180136 |
May 26, 1987 [JP] |
|
|
62-130791 |
Jun 5, 1987 [JP] |
|
|
62-140057 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
725/14;
348/E7.07; 348/E7.072; 379/92.04; 725/122; 725/131 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07C
13/00 (20130101); H04H 20/84 (20130101); H04H
60/31 (20130101); H04H 60/33 (20130101); H04H
60/43 (20130101); H04N 7/17327 (20130101); H04N
21/812 (20130101); H04N 7/17309 (20130101); G06Q
30/02 (20130101); H04H 60/94 (20130101); H04N
2007/1739 (20130101); Y02D 30/70 (20200801) |
Current International
Class: |
G07C
13/00 (20060101); G06Q 30/00 (20060101); H04H
9/00 (20060101); H04N 7/173 (20060101); H04N
7/16 (20060101); H04H 009/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;358/84 ;379/92,107
;455/2 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: George; Keith E.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Spencer & Frank
Claims
What we claim is:
1. An apparatus for collecting television channel data and market
research data, comprising:
a channel detector means for detecting a channel of a television
receiver being viewed by panelists to provide channel data;
a personal data entry device means for entering personal
identification information which is added to the channel data
supplied from the channel detector means;
a market research data entry device means for entering market
research data including a plurality of information items regarding
each of a plurality of purchased products, said market research
data entry device means including means for entering the market
research data in a sequence-non-ordered mode wherein a panelist is
not constrained to enter information items for a purchased product
in a predetermined order, and means for entering personal
identification information which is added to the market research
data; and
a data processing device means for receiving the channel data and
market research data supplied from the channel detector means and
the market research data entry device means, respectively, to
provide data having a predetermined format, for storing the data
having a predetermined format, and for transmitting the data having
a predetermined format to a data center, said data processing
device means including means for transmitting the channel data
having the personal identification data added thereto and the
market research data having the personal identification information
added thereto to the data center via a subscriber telephone link of
a panelist's home in response to a polling from the data center
within a predetermined time period.
2. A data collecting apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising means for transmitting the channel data from the channel
detector means to the data processing device means via domestic
power supply lines.
3. A data collecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said
personal data entry device means comprises a data transmitter and a
data receiver connected to the channel detector means.
4. A data collecting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said
data transmitter comprises means for entering personal data, means
for denoting items, and means for entering evaluations.
5. A data collecting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said
means for entering the personal data in the data transmitter
comprises keys having illustration images of respective persons
displayed thereon.
6. A data collecting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said
means for denoting items comprises a numerical keypad.
7. A data collecting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said
means for entering evaluations comprises three keys having
predetermined indicia.
8. A data collecting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said
data transmitter comprises switches allocated to respective persons
and having illustration images of respective persons applied
thereto.
9. A data collecting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said
data receiver comprises display units for displaying illustration
images of respective persons.
10. A data collecting apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said
data receiver further comprises touch-type selection switches for
identifying respective persons.
11. A data collecting apparatus according to claim 9, wherein each
of said display units for displaying the illustration images
comprises a light illumination switch and light emitting diodes
each selectively emitting one of three colors.
12. A data collecting apparatus according to claim 9, wherein each
of said display units for displaying illustration images comprises
a light illumination switch which emits selectively one of three
colors.
13. A data collecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said
market research data entry device means comprises a bar-code reader
for reading bar-codes, a plurality of person keys, each denoting a
respective purchaser, a plurality of shop keys, each denoting a
respective shop from which products may be purchased, and a
numerical keypad for entering an amount of the products and a
price.
14. A data collecting apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said
market research data entry device means furhter comprises an
additional key for entering a total price of plural kinds of
purchased products.
15. A data collecting apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said
market research data entry device means further comprises another
key for entering a price of a plurality of purchased products.
16. A data collecting apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said
market research data entry device means further comprises a further
key for converting the function of respective keys.
17. A data collecting apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said
market research data entry device means further comprises means for
conducting questionnaire research, said means for conducting
questionnaire research being effected with the aid of said further
key.
18. A data collecting apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said
data collecting apparatus is employed to selectively conduct
television audience rating surveys and market research evaluations,
said further key being used to effect the television audience
rating surveys or the market research evaluations.
19. A data collecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said
data processing device means comprises means for connecting a
subscriber telephone link to a telephone set during a time outside
said predetermined time period and to an internal circuit during
said predetermined time period, means for allowing the telephone
set to be used even in the predetermined time period unless the
communication between the data processing device means and data
center is effected, means for identifying a call signal from the
subscriber telephone link during the predetermined time period,
means for identifying a call signal from the data center, means for
identifying a call from a third party and connecting the telephone
set to the telephone link, means for receiving the market research
data via a terminal, means for receiving the channel data having
the personal identification data added thereto via domestic power
supply lines, timers, means for forming the data having a
predetermined format from the received data and the panelist's home
number, a receiver set number, a real time signal, and signals from
the timers, means for communicating with respect to the data
center, means for storing the data having a predetermined format
and sending the data having a predetermined format to the data
center in response to the polling from the data center, and means
for calling the data center.
20. A data collecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said
market research data entry device means comprises a bar-code reader
for reading bar-codes, an amount key, a price key, a shop key, a
person key, and a numerical keypad for entering amounts and a
numerical keypad for entering amounts when the amount key is
actuated, prices of purchased products when the price key is
actuated, a shop identification number when the shop key is
actuated, and a purchaser identification number when the person key
is actuated.
21. A data collecting apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said
market research data entry device means further comprises an
additional key for entering a total price of plural kinds of
purchased products.
22. A data collecting apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said
market research data entry device means further comprises another
key for entering a price of a plurality of purchased products.
23. A data collecting apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said
market research data entry device means further comprises a further
key for converting the function of respective keys.
24. A data collecting apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said
market research data entry device means further comprises means for
conducting questionnaire research, said means for conducting
questionnaire research being effected with the aid of said further
key.
25. A data collecting apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said
data collecting apparatus is employed to selectively conduct
television rating surveys and market research evaluations, said
further key being used to effect the television audience rating
surveys or the market research evaluations.
26. A data collecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
information items regarding each of a plurality of purchased
products include the type and amount of purchased products and
where the products were purchased.
27. A data collecting apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the
information items regarding each of a plurality of purchased
products further include the price of the purchased products.
28. A method for collecting market research data using a market
research data entry device at a panelist's home, the market
research data entry device having data entry means for receiving
data manually entered by a panelist, and for collecting data
regarding usage of a television receiver at the panelist's home,
said method comprising the steps of:
(a) manually entering information items regarding a purchased
product in a sequence-non-ordered mode wherein the panelist is not
constrained to enter information items in a predetermined order,
step (a) including the sub-steps of
(a-1) entering a number, along with category data identifying
whether the number represents a first information item regarding
the purchased product or a second information item regarding the
purchased product, and
(a-2) entering an additional number, along with category data
identifying whether the additional number represents the first
information item regarding the purchased product or the second
information item regarding the purchased product;
(b) storing data derived from the manually entered information
items at the panelist's home;
(c) collecting channel data which identifies the channel to which
the television receiver is tuned when the television receiver is
being watched by at least one person in the panelist's home, along
with personal identification data which identifies the at least one
person watching the television receiver;
(d) storing the channel data and the personal identification data
at the panelist's home; and
(e) transmitting the stored data from the panelist's home to a data
center via a telephone link.
29. The method of claim 28, wherein the category data entered in
sub-steps (a-1) and (a-2) further identifies whether the number and
additional number, respectively, represent a third information item
regarding the purchased product, and wherein step (a) further
includes a sub-step (a-3) of entering another number, along with
category data identifying whether the another number represents the
first, second, or third information item regarding the purchased
product.
30. The method of claim 29, wherein the first information item is
the price of the purchased product, the second information item is
the amount of the purchased product, and the third information item
is one of the identity of the vendor of the purchased product, the
identity of the purchaser of the purchased product, and the
identity of the purchased product itself.
31. The method of claim 28, wherein the first information item is
the price of the purchased product and the second information items
is the amount of the purchased product.
32. The method of claim 28, wherein the purchased product bears a
bar code, wherein the data entry means includes a bar code reader
and a keyboard having numerical keys and further keys, wherein one
of sub-steps (a-1) and (a-2) is conducted by scanning the bar code
on the purchased product with the bar code reader and depressing
one of the further keys, and wherein the other of sub-steps (a-1)
and (a-2) is conducted by depressing at least one numerical key and
a different one of the further keys.
33. The method of claim 28, further comprising, before step (b) is
conducted, the step of manually entering information items
regarding another purchased product is a nonsequence-ordered mode
wherein the panelist is not constrained to enter information items
in a predetermined order.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an apparatus for collecting and storing
channel data of television receivers being viewed in a plurality of
panelist's homes and market research data, and transmitting the
collected data to a data center in given time periods for use in a
system for collecting and processing the channel data and market
research data at the data center.
Television audience ratings for television broadcasting have been
measured by providing in each panelist's home a channel detector
for detecting a television channel of a television receiver being
viewed and a device for storing data supplied from the channel
detector, and by collecting every day the stored channel data in
response to a polling from a data center in which the channel data
is analyzed by a computer to derive the television audience
ratings. The applicants have proposed such an apparatus for
measuring the television audience ratings in Japanese Patent
Publication Kokai 54-80617. The applicants have also disclosed, in
Japanese Patent Publication Kokai 54-80610, a data transmission
system utilizing domestic power supply lines, and also proposed, in
Japanese Patent Publication Kokai 54-10167, an apparatus in which
terminals provided in panelist's homes for searching the television
audience ratings are commonly used with subscriber's telephone
sets.
Heretofore, market research data has been generally collected by a
method which utilizes research booklets or questionnaires, and a
method in which research data is picked-up electronically. The
former method using the booklets has the merit that the object and
range of a survey can be selected and changed at will, but also has
demerits in that the delivery and collection of booklets require a
lot of time and labor and in that error might be introduced in
collecting data written on the booklets. In the market research
data collection system in which data is picked-up with the aid of
electric means, a market research data input device is provided in
a panelist's home and data is entered therein by means of a
bar-code reader and a keyboard, and then the data is sent to the
data center via telephone type links and the data is analyzed by a
computer. Heretofore, the measurement of television audience
ratings and the market research were often effected separately from
each other. In such a case, it is necessary to provide the system
for measuring the television audience ratings and the system for
performing the market research separately from each other, so that
the cost might be high and an effective survey could not be
performed.
In order to decrease data input error upon entering the market
research data, there has been proposed a system in which simple
messages are displayed on a display unit and the data is entered in
a given order in an interactive manner.
There has recently been a demand to increase the scope and content
of audience rating and market research. Research results such as
audience ratings for respective home compositions, sexes and ages,
evaluation for programs and reaction to commercials have been
required. In order to satisfy such a requirement, a method of
measuring audience ratings for respective persons with the aid of
push buttons was experimentally effected. In this method, an
operation device with a ten-key keypad was connected to the
television channel detector via a cable and codes allocated to
respective persons were entered with the keys at the start and end
of periods of television watching, and personal evaluations were
also entered. In this method, since the persons were identified by
numbers the persons were liable to forget the identification code.
Further, the use of the cable makes the method impracticable.
Additionally, a device for transmitting the data from a data
transmitter with a keyboard to a data receiver with the aid of
infrared light has been developed, in said device a total number of
persons who are watching the television is entered using the
device. But this system does not aim at the entering of data for
identifying respective persons.
In the case of entering market research data in a predetermined
order, i.e. in a sequence-ordered-system, it is necessary not to
disturb the given order, while taking care of research items which
have been entered, so that when the number of entering operations
is large, the operator might become tired. In a data entering
system in the interactive mode, although the mis-entering can be
reduced, the entering time might be unnecessarily prolonged,
particularly for persons who are skilled in this method, so that
the efficiency of the data input operation is decreased. Moreover,
since the same steps are repeated, the person might feel bored, and
fail to enter the data correctly.
There have been further proposals for electrically effecting
television audience ratings and acquiring market research data, in
addition to those disclosed in the above mentioned three
publications. U.S. Re. U.S. Pat. No. 31,951, "MARKET SURVEY DATA
COLLECTION METHOD." discloses a market research data collecting
apparatus in which data is entered in an interactive manner to
reduce possible mis-operation and the data transmission to the data
center is effected when a main memory has stored the data up to its
capacity. An electronic audience rating and market research
apparatus has been described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,566,030,
"TELEVISION VIEWER DATA COLLECTION SYSTEM," and U.S. Pat. No.
4,546,382, "TELEVISION AND MARKET RESEARCH DATA COLLECTION SYSTEM
AND METHOD." In both the methods, the market research is effected
by substitution programs, a channel lock function is adopted for
multiple use, and the data transmission to the data center is
carried out at a predetermined time. Further, U.S. Pat. No.
4,630,108, "PROGRAMMED OVER-THE-AIR MARKETING RESEARCH SYSTEM,"
describes a market research apparatus utilizing cables and links
with ordinary wireless communication, microwave transmission and
satellite and substitution programs. Further, U.S. Pat. No.
4,644,393, "MEANS FOR MONITORING PEOPLE WHO ARE WATCHING A
TELEVISION SET," discloses an apparatus for collecting television
audience rating data, in which the total number of people watching
the television is transmitted via infrared light or ultrasonic
sound to a receiver with the aid of a key pad and is displayed on a
monitor, and then is stored in a memory.
In the above mentioned apparatus for conducted television audience
rating surveys and/or market research, the survey data does not
include personal information of respective panelists, so that it is
difficult to obtain useful data which meets the variety of needs of
modern audience rating surveys and purchasers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has for its object to provide an apparatus
for collecting television channel data and market research data,
said apparatus being easily installed in a panelist's home due to
the fact that the survey for television audience ratings and the
survey for the market research can be effected commonly, said
apparatus being able to perform more effective surveys by including
personal identification information of panelists, the market
research data being entered promptly and easily in random order,
and the apparatus being simple in construction and less expensive
in cost.
It is another object of the invention to provide an apparatus for
collecting personal data by extending the function of a keyboard of
a market research data entry device.
It is still another object of the invention to provide a personal
data entry device which includes a data transmitter having personal
illustration images of respective panelists and employing an
infrared beam, and a data receiver.
In order to attain the above mentioned objects, according to the
invention, an apparatus for collecting television channel data and
market research data, including a channel detector for detecting a
channel of a television receiver being viewed by panelists to form
channel data, a market research data entry device for entering the
market research data including a plurality of items, and a data
processing device for receiving the channel data and market
research data supplied from the channel detector and market
research data entry device, respectively to form data having given
format, storing the data thus formed and for transmitting the data
to a data center, is characterized in that the apparatus comprises
means for entering personal identification information which is
added to the channel data supplied from the channel detector, said
market research data entry device is so constructed that the market
research data can be entered in a sequence-non-ordered mode and
personal identification information to be added to the market
research data can be entered, and said data processing device
includes means for transmitting the channel data and market
research data having the personal identification information added
thereto to the data center via a subscriber telephone link of a
panelists' home in response to a polling from the data center
within a predetermined time interval.
In the above mentioned data collecting apparatus according to the
invention, the television channel data and market research data
have the personal identification information added thereto, so that
it is possible to know who watched what channel at what time as
well as to know who bought what goods, and detailed surveys can be
carried out. For example, television audience ratings for
respective sexes and ages may be calculated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the apparatus
according to the invention for collecting both market research data
and television audience rating data;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a channel detector;
FIG. 3 is a schematic view depicting the channel data format;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a data transmitter of FIG. 1;
FIGS. 5A to 5F are plan views illustrating the outer appearance of
several embodiments of the data transmitter;
FIGS. 6A to 6E are plan views showing the outer appearance of
several embodiments of a data receiver;
FIGS. 7A to 7E are block diagrams showing the data receiver;
FIG. 8 is a block diagram representing the construction of an
embodiment of a market research data entry device;
FIGS. 9 shows plan and front views, respectively, of the data entry
device;
FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating the outer appearance of another
embodiment of the market research data entry device;
FIG. 11 shows side and front views, respectively, showing the outer
appearance of a bar-code reader;
FIG. 12 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of entering
the market research data in the sequence-non-ordered-manner;
FIG. 13 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of entering
the amount data;
FIG. 14 is a flow chart for explaining the general operation of the
market research data entry device except for determining the total
purchase and total price;
FIG. 15 is a flow chart for explaining the general operation of the
market research data entry device to determine the total purchase
and total price;
FIG. 16 is a schematic view showing a displayed content during the
questionnaire survey;
FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing the construction of an
embodiment of a data processing device;
FIG. 18 illustrates the format of a transmission data; and
FIG. 19 illustrates format of start data.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
As stated above, the present applicants have filed patent
applications, i.e. Japanese Patent Publication Kokai 54-80617,
"TELEVISION AUDIENCE RATING SURVEY SYSTEM" for the measurement of
television audience ratings, Patent Publication Kokai 54-80610,
"METHOD OF TRANSMITTING DATA BY MEANS OF DOMESTIC POWER SUPPLY
LINES" for transmission of data within a panelist's home from a
channel detector to a data processing device, and Patent
Publication Kokai 54-10607, "APPARATUS FOR COMMONLY USING
SUBSCRIBER TELEPHONE LINK" for common use of a single subscriber
link between a telephone set and a terminal device. These
techniques provide the basic ideas for the present invention, but
are described in detail in these publications, so that here only
the summary thereof will be explained.
Now the present invention will be explained with reference to the
embodiments illustrated in the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the apparatus
according to the invention for collecting television channel data
and market research data together with personal identification
information. In this apparatus, a channel detector and a data entry
device are installed in a panelist's home, and data is transmitted
to a data processing device and is processed and stored therein.
The stored data is transmitted to a data center in response to a
polling from the data center and given data is calculated at the
data center.
Reference numeral 1 denotes a panelist's home and reference numeral
10 represents a data center. In the panelist home, there are
arranged channel detectors 3a, 3b. . . besides television receiver
sets 2a, 2b. . . , respectively to detect television channels being
viewed. The detected channel data is transmitted to a data
processing device 8 via domestic power supply lines 6. There is
further provided a market research data entry device 7 which
includes a bar-code reader and a keyboard for entering various
kinds of data concerning products purchased by panelists. The
entered data is transmitted to the data processing device 8. A
personal data entry device is composed of a data transmitter 4 and
a data receiver 5. The data transmitter 4a, 4b. . . transmit the
data by means of infrared radiation. By pressing keys provided on
the transmitters while watching television receiver screens,
desired data can be transmitted to the data receivers 5a, 5b. . . .
It should be noted that the data may be transmitted with the aid of
ultrasonic waves or weak electromagnetic waves. Since the data
transmitters 4a, 4b. . are handled while watching the television,
the data receivers 5a, 5b. . . are preferably placed on the channel
detectors 3a, 3b. . . , respectively. The data received by the data
receivers 5a, 5b. . . is supplied to the channel detectors 3a, 3b.
. . , and then is transmitted to the data processing device 8
together with the channel data via domestic power supply lines 6 in
the FM mode. The data processing device 8 can identify various
kinds of data supplied from the channel detectors 3a, 3b. . . ,
market research data entry device 7 and data transmitters 4a, 4b. .
. , and converts these kinds of data into transmission data having
a given format which is then stored. These equipments utilize a
subscriber telephone type link commonly with a telephone set 9 in
the panelist's home. The data center 10 comprises computer 12 and
its interface 11. The computer 12 controls the data processing
devices 8 provided in respective panelist's home terminals 1 and
causes them to send the transmission data stored therein to the
data center in a given order, and then calculates television
audience ratings for respective channels and various kinds of
marketing research information. The data center 10 further
comprises a magnetic tape device 14 and its interface 13 which
serve as a back-up for the computer 12. A plurality of telephone
lines are connected to the data center 10 so that it can handle a
plurality of the terminals 1 simultaneously. In the present
embodiment, there are provided facsimile device 15 and CRT display
device 16 connected to the market research data entry device 7, and
the data center 10 comprises a message generator 17 for
transmitting messages from the data center to panelist's homes.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the construction of a channel
detector 3 shown in FIG. 1. The channel detector detects a
television channel by picking up an electromagnetic wave which
leaks out of a local oscillator in the television receiver set. The
channel detector comprises VHF pickup antenna 21, UHF pickup
antenna 22 and electronic tuner 23 to which the electromagnetic
wave from the local oscillator provided in the television receiver
set is supplied. The electronic tuner 23 is scanned by a band
switching driver 29 which is controlled by CPU 37 via an interface
28, and high and low bands of VHF and respective bands of UHF are
switched. Then, the channel being viewed is searched with the aid
of a control voltage generator 30 via a low pass filter 31. When
the search frequency of the electronic tuner 23 is identical with
the picked up frequency, the received signal is detected by
intermediate frequency amplifier 24, band pass filter 25,
intermediate frequency amplifier 26 and amplitude detector 27. The
channel data is entered into the CPU 37 via the interface 28. The
channel data thus detected is processed by CPU 37 and is sent to a
transmission data forming device 33 via an interface 32 and is
converted into transmission data having a given format. The
transmission data is further supplied to a frequency modulator 34
to effect the frequency modulation. To the channel data there is
added personal identification information which is supplied from
the data receiver 5 and is received via terminals 46-49 and an
interface 45. A ROM 38 is connected to CPU 37. ROM 38 stores all
programs and frequency data allocated to the relevant channel
detector. An output signal from the frequency modulator 34 is
supplied via LPF 35, amplifier 36, transformer 39 and capacitor 40
to the commercial power supply. Therefore, by inserting a plug 41
into a socket, the data is transferred to the data processing
device 8 via the domestic power supply lines.
FIG. 3 illustrates an example of the format of the transmission
data. The transmission data consists of ten characters. Four
characters F, A, BCC and D are reserved for an auxiliary
transmission and the other six characters 2 CHAR.about.5 CHAR, CH-1
and CH-0 are used to transmit the detected channel data. Each
character consists of four bits, so that it is possible to transmit
sixteen data signals by respective characters. The transmission
data may include, in addition to the channel data detected by the
channel detector, other data which is entered from the external
inputs 46.about.49 via the interface 45. The externally entered
data may be the personal identification information from a data
transmitter 4 via a data receiver 5.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the data transmitter 4. The data
transmitter 4 has a construction similar to that of a remote
control device using an infrared radiation source for use in
domestic electronic apparatuses and has a battery 55 of 3 V. Data
entered by a keyboard 51 is sent to a remote control transmitter IC
52 which actuates an infrared radiation source 53. Source 53 emits
infrared radiation 56. The keyboard 51 is provided on a top surface
of a housing for easy operation. Selection switches 54 correspond
to selection switches of the data receiver as will be explained
later, and are used to set groups of the personal data entry
device.
FIGS. 5A.about.5F are plan views showing the construction of
several embodiments of the keyboard of the data transmitter 4, the
keyboards being constructed suitably for various applications. Keys
may be of a push button type or touch type. FIG. 5A illustrates a
construction in which the personal identification is effected by a
numerical keypad portion 57. During a survey of television audience
ratings, a "CH" key 60 is pushed, and "START" key 58a and "END" key
58b are pushed at the start and end of the survey of the television
audience ratings. Evaluation data is entered by pushing either the
"GOOD" key 59a, the "NORMAL" key 59b or the "BAD" key 59c.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5B, personal identification keys 61
have character or illustration images of father, mother,
grandfather, grandmother, eldest boy, eldest girl, second eldest
boy, second eldest girl, and so on. The keypad portion 57 is used
to denote research items upon entering the market research data.
When the research items are predetermined, the survey may be
carried out without displaying questions on the television screen,
and thus booklets are previously delivered and panelists may enter
data at a convenient time. When a survey of television audience
ratings is selected, the "CH" key 60 is used. Reference numerals
59a, 59b and 59c denote evaluation keys having three stages or
grades A, B and C. For the evaluation data, there are usually three
grades such as good, normal, bad; expensive, normal, cheap; large,
middle, small; agree, no comment, disagree; and yes, no comment,
no. These grades may be expressed commonly as A, B and C. When only
a survey of television audience ratings is to be effected, item
selection and evaluation are not necessary, so that it is
sufficient to provide only a plurality of personal identification
keys 61 as illustrated in Fig. 5C. Further, if transmitters are
allocated to respective persons, it is not necessary to provide
personal identification keys, and it is sufficient to use only a
personal identification image as shown in FIG. 5D. FIGS. 5E and 5F
show other embodiments in which research item denoting keys are
deleted except for the television audience rating keys of the
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5B. This data transmitter is
suitable for effecting surveys of television audience ratings and
evaluations of television programs and for carrying out market
research in a real time mode. The market research may be conducted
by the answer-to-question method in response to questions displayed
on the screen. In the answer-to-question method in a real time
mode, answers can be obtained immediately, so it is not necessary
to enter the research item and the data transmitter may be
constructed as shown in FIGS. 5E or 5F.
FIGS. 6A to 6E show the outer appearance of several embodiments of
the panel of the data receiver 5 and FIGS. 7A to 7E are block
diagrams illustrating the internal construction thereof.
FIGS. 6A and 7A show a first embodiment in which persons,
evaluations and input commands are indicated by display units 73,
75 and 76. when a push button of the keypad portion 57 in the
keyboard 51 allocated to a person is pushed while the data
transmitter 4 is directed to the data receiver 5, the infrared
radiation 56 emitted from the radiation source 53 falls upon an
infrared radiation receiving element 65 and is converted into an
electrical signal. Then, the signal is amplified by an amplifier 66
and is detected by a remote control receiver IC 67. Then the
detected data is used to light a light emitting diode 82 and is
entered into a central processing unit (CPU) 62 via I/O port
expander 68 and bus 63. Selection switches 69 which correspond to
the selection switches 54 of the data transmitter 4 are provided,
and are used to set the utility group of the personal data entry
device 4. Reference numerals 78.about.82 denote LEDs. LEDs 78, 79
and 80 display a panelist's name, evaluation and entry request,
respectively. LED 81 displays entry inhibit and LED 82 indicates
the reception of the infrared radiation from the data transmitter
4. The data receiver 5 further includes a ROM 64 for storing
necessary programs. The CPU 62 has a timer installed therein and
controls all the other devices. The data signal is transmitted from
output terminals 70, 71 to the channel detector 3 via a cable.
Terminal 70 is also used for receiving the power supply. Display
units 73, 75 and 77 are connected to data bus 63 via I/O port
expanders 72, 74 and 76, respectively. The display unit 73 denotes
panelists who are engaged with the survey. The display unit 73 is
lit when a corresponding number key of the data transmitter 4 is
pushed and then the start key 58a is pushed. When the end key 58b
is pushed, the display unit 73 is turned off. The display unit 75
indicates items whose evaluation has been finished. The evaluation
data is not displayed in order not to affect other panelists who
are participating in the data entry. The display unit 73 is blinked
when the evaluation data is not entered within a predetermined time
period after the start key 58a was pushed, so that it requests the
panelist to enter the evaluation data. FIGS. 6B and 7B illustrate a
simple data receiver in which respective panelists are identified
by the personal illustration images and a display unit 82 signals
the reception of data. There are provided light emitting diodes
84-1.about.84-n for illuminating the illustration images of
respective panelists. In this embodiment, eight illustration images
are depicted. In accordance with the data entered into CPU 62, one
of the light emitting diodes 84-1 to 84-n is selectively turned on
via one of I/O port expanders 83-1 to 83-n. The above operation is
controlled by CPU 62. FIGS. 6C and 7C illustrate another embodiment
of the data receiver, in which touch keys 86-1 and 86-n are
provided on the panel at positions corresponding to respective
display units 84-1 to 84-n. Then it is possible to enter the
personal data without using the personal data transmitter 4. In
this embodiment, the interruption to CPU 62 is effected via a
keyboard encoder 85 connected to the touch keys 86-1 to 86-n so as
to control the display units 84-1 to 84-n. FIGS. 6D an 7D show
still another embodiment of the data receiver, in which the display
units are formed by light illumination keys 91-1 to 91-n and there
are provided display units at positions corresponding to respective
light illumination keys, each display unit comprising green and red
light emitting diodes 89-1 to 89-n and 90-1 to 90-n. By means of
this data receiver, it is possible to survey the viewers'
evaluation of television programs and to conduct questionnaire
research. The light illumination keys 91-1 to 91-n are controlled
via I/O port expanders 88-1 to 88-n and keyboard encoder 92 and are
turned on and off by touching the keys. The light emitting diodes
89-1 to 89-n and 90-1 to 90-n are controlled via I/O port expanders
87-1 to 87-n. When LEDs 89-1 to 89-n are turned on, a green light
is generated, when LEDs 90-1 to 90-n are turned on, a red light is
emitted, and when both LEDs 89-1 to 89-n and 90-1 to 90-n are
turned on, an amber light (bright orange) is produced. In this
manner, the evaluation with three grades can be carried out. When a
panelist is required to enter evaluation data, the light emitting
diodes may be blinked.
FIGS. 6E to 7E depict a modification of the embodiment illustrated
in FIGS. 6D and 7D. In the present embodiment, the light
illumination keys and light emitting diodes are combined to form
three color illumination keys 94-1 to 94-n. One of three different
colors is selected by I/O port expanders 93-1 to 93-n, and a
selected light emitting diode is turned on and off by means of a
keyboard encoder 95. In this case, in order to mitigate mental
demands on panelists due to the blinking of light emitting diodes,
a composed speech signal stored in ROM 64 is supplied via I/O port
expander 96 and speech composing circuit 97 to a speaker 98 to
reproduce a message.
The market research data entry device 7 is provided to enter data
necessary for market research and send the entered data to the data
processing device 8. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an
embodiment of the market research data entry device, FIG. 9 shows
its outer appearance, FIG. 10 depicts the arrangement of a panel of
another embodiment, and FIG. 11 illustrats the outer appearance of
bar-code reader.
As shown in FIG. 8, the device comprises CPU 100 for controlling
various devices, data bus 101, ROM 102 for storing control
programs, etc., RAM 103 for storing entered data temporalarily,
interruption control circuit 116, timer 117, power supply source
118, power switch 119, display units 104, 105 for bar-codes,
display units 106 for displaying store names, purchaser names,
amounts and options, display unit 107 for price, LEDs 120 to 127
denoting store names, purchaser names, bar-code, error, amount,
option, price and end, respectively, interfaces 108 to 111,
keyboard 112, and start and stop switches SW.sub.1 and SW.sub.2.
Further, a facsimile device or printer 15 is connected via
interface 114 and terminal 129 to print out various kinds of input
data, and a CRT display device 16 is connected via interface 131
and terminal 132 to display the information. Further, a speaker 134
is connected via an interface 133 to reproduce sound information.
The data from the data center is entered from an input terminal
130, stored in the RAM 103 via an interface 115 and is supplied to
the printer, CRT display device or speaker. A signal from the
bar-code reader is received at a bar-code reader terminal 128 and
is stored in RAM 103 via an interface 113.
As shown in FIG. 9, on the panel of the data receiver there are
provided the display units 104, 105 for bar-codes, display units
106 for shop names, purchaser names, amounts and options, display
unit 107 for price, LEDs 120, 121, 124 and 125 for respective
items, LEDs 127 and 123 for displaying end and error, keypad 112,
code list 135 and a place 137 for installing the bar-code. The
display units 104 and 105 also serve as auxiliary display units.
The order in which the data is entered is arbitrary, but it is
convenient to effect the data entry for respective purchasers and
shops, and it is preferable to enter bar-codes of products, amount
of products and price. "X" key 112a on the keyboard 112 is used to
enter a unit price and amount to calculate a total price, and
"&" key 112b is used to effect the same operation such as oo
and oo. When a plurality of different kinds of products are
purchased and the prices of respective products are not known, a
bar-code on the same kind of product is first readout, and then the
number of products is entered with the aid of the keypad portion.
Next, after pressing the "&" key, the same operation is
continued for another kind of product. After the above mentioned
operation has been completed for all the kinds of products, the
total price is calculated. After entering data for all the items,
the end LED 127 is turned on. Then, the "end" key 112c is pushed
and the entered data is converted into of data a given format and
several data are combined to form a transmission data which is
transmitted to the data processing device 8 via the interface 115
and terminal 130. "All clear" key 112d is used to return to the
initial condition if a data entry error occurs, and all data can be
deleted before the "end" key 112c is pushed. The "G" key 136 is to
change the function of keys. The "G" key has a green color and the
initial G function is recorded thereon. When the "G" key is pushed,
the "X" key 112a is converted into a "clear" key and the "price"
key 112e is converted into a "register" key. As will be explained
later answers to questions may be entered with the aid of the
keypad portion.
FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the market research data entry
device in which codes of purchasers and shop names are entered by
pushing keys 138 and 140 corresponding thereto. Then, LEDs 139 and
141 are turned on. An auxiliary display unit 142 is provided for
displaying entered amounts and prices. When data is entered by
operating ten keys 143, entered numerical data is displayed on the
auxiliary display 142. Then, "amount" key 144 or "Y" key 145 is
pushed, and the data is written into RAM 103 and is displayed on
the display units 106 and 107. The function of "X" key 146, "&"
key 147, "G" key 148, bar-code key 149 and all clear key 150 are
same as those in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9. There are
further provided LEDs 152 which are turned on when the purchaser
name, shop name, bar-code, amount and price are entered. Therefore,
items which have not yet been entered can be easily found. After
entering the data for all the items, "end" key 153 is pushed and
all data is sent to the data processing device 8.
The bar-code is generally used for general goods and foods in the
POS system and identifies the manufacturer's name and the kind of
product. The bar-code is usually entered with the aid of the
bar-code reader, but may be also entered by the keypad portion if
the bar-code is so stained that it could not be read out by the
bar-code reader. Suitable codes have been previously allocated to
products without bar-codes and are entered with the aid of the
keyboard. The bar-code reader 154 shown in FIG. 11 comprises a CCD
line sensor installed therein. While a sensor portion 156 is pushed
against the bar-code by grasping a handle 155, when a key 157 is
pushed, the bar-code is picked up and entered. The bar-code reader
may be constructed in various ways. For instance, a pen-like sensor
may be traced over the bar-code or a product may be passed over a
bar-code reader. The data entered by the bar-code reader is
supplied via the terminal 128 shown in FIG. 8, and is stored in RAM
103 via the interface 113 and is displayed on the display units 104
and 105 via the interfaces 108 and 109, respectively.
Now the data entry operation with the aid of the market research
data entry device of FIG. 9 will be explained with reference to
flow charts. FIG. 12 is a flow chart for explaining the
sequence-non-ordered-entry, FIG. 13 is a flow chart for explaining
the operation for entering the amount data, FIG. 14 is a flow chart
for explaining overall operation except for determining the total
purchase and calculating a total price from unit price and amount,
and FIG. 15 is a flow chart for explaining the operation in which
the total purchase and the calculation of total price are
effected.
According to the invention, various kinds of data can be entered at
random and if there is an error in the data entry, the error can be
corrected unless the end key 112c c pushed. FIG. 12 illustrates the
operation of the data entry by pushing keys for respective items.
It is apparent from this flow chart that the data can be entered in
a sequence-nonordered-manner. As illustrated by Step S.sub.1, when
any one of the keys except those of the numerical keypad portion is
pushed, a corresponding one of routines .circle. to .circle. is
performed as shown by steps S.sub.2 to S.sub.12, and when any one
of these keys is not pushed (that is, a numerical key is pushed
instead), the data is entered. In this manner, data for any desired
item may be entered at will, so that it is possible to enter the
data in the non-ordered sequence mode. When one digit of the data
is entered, a data entry counter is incremented by 1 (step
S.sub.13), and the number of effective digits is limited to
thirteen (steps S.sub.14 and S.sub.15). The number of effective
digits is set to two for the shop name, two for the purchaser name,
two for the amount, six for the price and thirteen for a bar-code.
Then, the data is displayed on the right hand side of the display
units 104, 105 (steps S.sub.16, S.sub.18). it should be noted that
the display units 104, 105 serve as the auxiliary display units.
For instance, in the questionnaire mode, the routine .circle. is
the questionnaire routine (step S.sub.20) and is returned at step
S.sub.19.
The flow of the data process for the purchaser, shop, amount and
price are substantially the same. Now the process for entering the
amount data will be explained with reference to FIG. 13. At first,
the data is entered, and is processed as shown in FIG. 12, and the
entered data is set in a display buffer LSB (step S.sub.17). When
the amount key is pushed, the data stored in the display buffer is
set in another register, for example A register (step S.sub.21),
and it is confirmed that data other than 0 has been entered (steps
S.sub.22, S.sub.23). Then the data is transferred to an amount
display buffer register (step S.sub.24), an amount flag is
generated (step S.sub.25) and the amount is displayed on the
display unit 106 (step S.sub.26). The display units 104, 105 are
cleared and then the routine is returned (step S.sub.27).
FIGS. 14 and 15 are flow charts showing the entire process of data
entry. As illustrated in FIG. 14, when the data concerning the
purchaser, shop, amount and price except for the bar-code is being
entered with the aid of the ten-key keypad portion (step S.sub.41),
the data entered is displayed on auxiliary display units 104, 105
(step S.sub.42). The effective digits are displayed when an item
key is pushed. The data is transferred to a given address position
of RAM 103, and the display units 104, 105 are cleared and a
corresponding LED is turned on (step S.sub.44). If the operator
finds that the data has been entered erroneously (step S.sub.45),
correct data is re-entered and a corresponding key is pushed. Then,
the content in RAM 103 is re-written, and the content of the
display is also changed. After the data for one item has been
entered, data for the next item is entered by repeating the same
operation. When a bar-code is entered with the aid of the bar-code
reader (step S.sub.34), the data is accessed by the bus 101 from
the terminal 128 via the interface 113, and then is stored in a
corresponding address position in RAM 103. At the same time, the
entered data is displayed on the left hand sides of the display
units 104, 105 via the interfaces 108, 109, so that LED 122 is
turned on (step S.sub.35). If the bar-code is stained and cannot be
picked up by the bar-code reader (step S.sub.33), the data is
entered with the aid of the ten-key keypad portion (step S.sub.36).
The data is written in RAM 103 and is displayed on the right hand
side of the display units 104, 105 (step S.sub.37). When the
"bar-code" key 112f is pushed (step S.sub.51), all data is
transferred to a given address position of RAM 103, and displays
except for the purchaser and shop are cleared (step S.sub.52). This
is due to the fact that the market research data of a group can be
often entered for one purchaser and a small number of shops, so
that even after the end key 112c is pushed, the next data entry can
be effected simply and efficiently by entering data for items
except for the purchaser and shop. If all the entered data is
erroneous (step S.sub.48), the all clear key 112d is pushed (step
S.sub.49). Then all the data is cleared (step S.sub.50) and the
routine is returned into the initial step, and data is
re-entered.
Next, the consolidation of the total purchase and the calculation
of the total price from the unit prices and the amounts will be
explained with reference to FIG. 15. In this case, it is preferable
to enter previously the purchaser and shop (step S.sub.61). This is
due to the same reason as that explained with respect to the step
S.sub.52 in FIG. 14, i.e. a group of products is usually purchased
by the same person in the same shop. At first, a bar-code and an
amount of the kind of product identified by the bar code are
entered (steps S.sub.62, S.sub.63). In case of a series of
purchases (step S.sub.64), after "&" key 112b is pushed (step
S.sub.70), a bar-code and the amount of the next kind of product
are entered. This operation is carried out for all products, and
then a total price is entered (step S.sub.71). In case of a
separate purchase (step S.sub.65), the unit price is first entered
(step S.sub.67), and the "X" key 112a is pushed to display a total
price. When a number overflows, "EEEEEE" is displayed for one
second, and the next data entry is awaited (step S.sub.68). When
the data entry is finished, the end LED 127 is turned on (step
S.sub.72), and then the entered data is transferred into the data
processing device (step S.sub.74), when the end key 112c is pushed
(step S.sub.73). The above operation is repeated for were products
which were bought in the total price mode as well as in the
separate price mode. When the purchase and shop are different from
the previous ones, the data has to be re-entered.
Next, the method of using the "G" key 136 will be explained. As was
explained before, the "g" key is used to convert the functions of
various keys so as to provide functions suitable for entering the
answers to the questions. This is due to the fact that if the
number of keys on the keyboard is increased, the efficiency might
be decreased and the possibility of error might be increased. Such
a conversion of functions is generally adopted in personal
computers and word processors. In the present embodiment, the
questionnaire survey is conducted using marks and numerals shown in
FIG. 16, but the embodiment may be adapted to another mode of
questionnaire research as well as another purposes. Questionnaire
booklets have been previously distributed and answers to questions
described in the booklets are entered by denoting two digit numbers
with the aid of the ten-key keypad portion. When the operator
pushes "G" key 136, "H5" is displayed on the left hand side of
display unit 104. "H5" represents page 5. Furthermore "5-1", which
indicates that first item on page 5, is displayed at the left hand
side on the display unit 107. Since the question initiates from
page 5, "H5" is first displayed. In response to such a display, the
operator enters his or her answer to the first question on page 5.
The entered numerals are displayed on the right hand sides of the
display units 107 and 105 (position P.sub.7), and then the display
on the left hand side of the display unit 107 is changed to 5-2.
When an answer to the second question is entered, the number for
the first item displayed on the unit 107 is changed, and the number
for the first item is shifted to position P.sub.6 and a two-digit
number expressing the answer to the second question is displayed at
the position P.sub.7. The operation is repeated up to the seventh
item, and the seven two-digit numbers are displayed on the display
units 104, 105 at positions P.sub.1 to P.sub.7. When the number of
questionnaire items exceeds seven, the page is automatically
changed. Since the maximum capacity is set to a predetermined
number of items, such as 35 items, after the answer to the seventh
item on page 9 has been entered or during this operation, when the
end key 112c c is pushed, the entered data is converted into the
given format and is transferred to the data processing device. The
clear key 112a can be used to delete the entered data partially,
and when this key is pushed, the digits displayed on the units 104,
105 are shifted rightward by one character and one digit is deleted
from the displayed digits on the unit 107. The all clear key 112d
is used to cancel the questionnaire research mode and the initial
condition is re-called.
FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating the construction of the
data processing device 8. The data processing device 8 has the
functions of receiving the channel data and questionnaire data via
the domestic power supply lines and the market research data via
the cable, of storing the received data and of transmitting the
stored data to the data center in response to the polling from the
data center. This operation of the data processing device 8 is
controlled by CPU 160 and necessary programs therefor are stored in
ROM 162. The received data is stored in RAM 163. The processed data
is also stored in RAM 163 via a data bu 161. The data from the
market research data entry device 7 is conveyed to the common data
bus 161 from a terminal 187 via an interface 188. The data from the
channel detector 3 and the data from the data transmitter 4 are
transmitted over the domestic power supply lines. Therefore, by
inserting an AC plug 191 into a socket, the data signal is supplied
through power switch 192, capacitor 194 and transformer 195 to an
amplifier 196. Then the amplified data signal is supplied to an
electronic timer 197 in which the carrier frequencies are scanned
by a control voltage generator 198 under the control of CPU 160.
The picked-up signal is first amplified by an amplifier 199 and
then is detected by FM detector 200. The detected signal is
supplied to a decoder 201 to reproduce the original data signal,
which is then supplied to CPU 160 via the common bus 161. In CPU
160, the received data signal is processed together with the data
stored in RAM 163, the time data and data from encoders into the
transmission data having a given format. The data thus produced is
stored in RAM 163. The data processing device 8 further comprises a
real time clock 178 for generating a current time signal, and a set
of timers 179 for respective devices. A home number encoder 181
generates a code number of the panelist's home, a receiver number
encoder 182 produces respective code numbers of television receiver
sets provided in the panelist's home, and a television receiver set
scanning control circuit 183 controls the scanning of a maximum of
eight television receiver sets. A keyboard 184 is provided for
effecting manual start/stop of the data collection. Since all the
data is acquired in an interruption mode, an interruption control
circuit 180 is provided. Further, to a terminal 185 is connected a
checker which checks the operation of the circuit via an interface
186. The data transmission is effected in response to polling from
the data center in a given time period during which the telephone
traffic is small, i.e. midnight or early morning, so that the
panelist's home is not disturbed, but if necessary, a call may be
effected during this time period. A telephone set 165 and telephone
line 164 are connected to a network control unit (NCU) 169 via
switches 168. NCU 169 is controlled by an NCU control circuit 177.
If a telephone call is received during the predetermined time,
usually around midnight, during which the data transmission is
destined to be effected, a check is made by signal detector 173 to
determine whether the call was sent from the data center or a third
party by detecting an identification signal transmitted from the
data center. If the call is judged to be a normal call from a third
party, a ring back tone generator 174 sends a ring back tone and a
bell or buzzer is rung. If the call was sent from the data center,
the data processing device is accessed automatically and the data
stored therein is transmitted to the data center. It is also
possible to transmit the data at a time outside the predetermined
time. In this case, after confirming that the telephone set is not
in use, and waiting for a predetermined time, the data center is
called by means of an auto-dial circuit 176 if the telephone set is
dial type or DTMF 175 if the telephone set is a push button type.
If the data center responds to the call, the data is transmitted to
the data center one by one. When the data transmission is finished,
the initial condition is recovered. The data is transmitted by
means of communication interface 172, MODEM 171, transformer 170
and NCU 169.
The data format may be designed by considering various factors such
as the kinds and amounts of data, future extension, the necessary
transmission rate, transmission control and protection for power
interruption and interference. In the present embodiment, sixteen
codes are provided, and data and control items are allocated to
respective codes. For instance, the fifth code is allocated to the
channel data transmitted via the domestic power supply lines and
questionnaire data.
FIG. 18 shows an example of the data format, in which the first
character 0 is allocated to the code number and characters
1.about.4 are allocated to the external data which is received at
the input terminals 46.about.49 in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, only
the questionnaire data is provided as the external data, and the
contents of characters 1 and 2 are set to "O". Characters 5 to B
are allocated to the time at which the relevant data is produced.
In the drawing, the time codes represent Friday, 15 o'clock, 55
minutes and 5 seconds. The characters C and D are used to transmit
the channel number, and the characters E and F are allocated to the
television receiver set number. In the drawing, it is understood
that the television receiver set No. 1 reproduces the channel No.
1. The remaining codes are also formed in a similar manner in
accordance with the characteristics of the codes. These codes are
produced every time new data or on event occurs. For instance, the
fifth code corresponding to the channel data is produced every time
the channel is changed and the power switch of the television
receiver set is switched on and off. A first code indicating power
supply interruption is generated every time the power supply is
interrupted. The data thus formed is transmitted to the data center
at a predetermined time or at a desired time. In this case, a first
row of the data includes the code illustrated in FIG. 19. A code
number "4" represents the start of the data collection, and the
characters 1 and 2 are set to "F". Characters C.about.F represent
the panelist's home number.
As was explained above, according to the invention, the television
audience rating survey apparatus and the market research apparatus
can be integrally formed in a highly economical manner. Further,
not only can the television audience rating for a broadcasted
commercial be known, but also the market research data of a
relevant product and the effect of the commercial can be obtained
substantially in a real time manner. In the known television
audience rating survey apparatus, it is merely possible to know how
many panelists watched the commercial, but according to the
invention it is possible to know the number of panelists who were
interested in the commercial, who wanted to buy the product and who
actually bought the products, so that the final effect of the
commercial can be known. Such an advantage is extremely
remarkable.
Moreover, since the personal identification information is added to
the channel data, market research data and questionnaire research
data, it is possible to derive television audience ratings,
evaluations, market research data and questionnaire research data
for respective family composition, respective ages and respective
sexes. Further, research beyond the normal commercial can be
effected, if necessary. The is a new merit which could never be
attained by the known survey of television audience ratings and
market research. In the above embodiments, the effect of
commercials in the market research is surveyed, but the present
invention is not limited to such market research, but may be
applied to various surveys of social phenomena, and positive and
fruitful data can be presented promptly.
Since illustration images may be provided on the data transmitter
and receiver, erroneous operation due to an operator's forgetting
his or her own identification number of remembering a wrong
identification number can be avoided. In a television audience
rating survey, the start and end of the program watching can be
entered by actuating the personal identification switch on the data
transmitter in on/off manner, so that the number of keys on the
keyboard can be reduced and the operation can be simplified. When a
questionnaire style evaluation is conducted in a real time mode,
since switches for denoting evaluation items are not necessary, the
number of keys can be further decreased, and in a survey of the
television audience ratings, it is sufficient to provide only the
personal identification switches. In the data receiver, since
lighted illumination switches with personal illustration images or
three color illumination switches are used, the number of parts can
be reduced and the switches can be easily identified.
When market research data is being entered with the aid of the
market research data entry device, the data can be entered in a
random order, so that the data entry can be carried out
efficiently. Further, the data can be entered at a speed suitable
for respective operators, a large amount of data can be entered
without error due to monotonous operation. Further, since the items
which have been already entered can be identified by the
lighting-on condition of LEDs or displays, double entering or
no-entering can be effectively prevented. Moreover, by using the
"G" key, evaluations for purchased products and answers to
questions can be also entered. This results in that the applicable
field can be expanded over the usual market research.
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